One resident and a member of the Hillsdale City Council objected to the approval of a $5,000 contract with the local non-profit domestic violence shelter, Domestic Harmony, during a public meeting Monday.
The city has partnered financially with Domestic Harmony for more than 10 years, but Councilman Patrick Flannery objected to the contract. Flannery voted against the measure, saying it isn’t the council’s role to support charities. Nonetheless, council approved the contract four to one.
“I don’t believe the government should be giving to private charities,” Flannery said. “We can’t afford it, and we’ve been doing it for over a decade? I plan on voting ‘no’ on this. This isn’t our checkbook.”
In response to Flannery, Councilman Bruce Sharp said that the $5,000 contract represents less than one-tenth of one percent of the city’s total budget, and he motioned to approve the contract immediately.
“It’s a great service that is provided for our community,” Sharp said. “There’s no question that people need a shelter to go to. Where else are they going to go to? I make a motion that we give the $5,000 to Domestic Harmony.”
Julia Denig, executive director of Domestic Harmony, appeared before the council to update councilmembers on the shelter’s progress. In addition to supporting 58 adults and 50 children with safe shelter in the past year, Denig also said it has provided 1,020 nights in the shelter to individuals free of charge.
“We are the only option in the city of Hillsdale,” Denig said. “When the police need a place to bring a victim, they bring them to Domestic Harmony. All of our services are free to victims.”
Denig said that while the $5,000 contract only makes up for approximately 2 percent of Domestic Harmony’s expenses, every penny counts.
“We are a small staff of 10,” Denig said. “We rely heavily on community volunteers. Right now, Hillsdale College students are our biggest set of volunteers. This is the only way we can stay open 365 days a year.”
Councilman Timothy Dixon said it isn’t uncommon for cities to partner with local shelters and revealed that he is a member of Domestic Harmony’s Board of Directors.
“Recently, the state legislature clarified what organizations they allow townships to work with,” Dixon said. “They added domestic violence to the statute. I have to admit, I’ve been on their board for three years, and I’ve seen the good they do from the other side.”
Many Hillsdale locals, including resident Penny Swan, said they were happy to see the city continuing its support of Domestic Harmony and saw the contract as a financial benefit for the city instead of a cost.
“I want to thank you for supporting Domestic Harmony,” Swan said. “I would think that the cost in calls to the police and the time it would take them to help people in those situations would, without a doubt, outweigh the costs of supporting the shelter.”
However, Hillsdale resident Kelly Robinson said during public comment that he disagreed with the council’s decision, primarily that Councilman Dixon voted to financially support an organization of which he is a board member.
Robinson offered to give Domestic Harmony $5,000 in conjunction with his new business, North Star Coffee Company, but only if Domestic Harmony chose to deny the city’s contract.
“I think they made a mistake and Flannery is correct,” Robinson said. “You shouldn’t be giving money to private charities. I’m offering a third option. I’ve asked the ladies of Domestic Harmony to disengage with the city on their contract, and I’ll provide a personal gift instead.”
Denig declined the gift and said they believe in the city’s support and will continue to foster their partnership.
Councilman Adam Stockford said the city’s relationship with Domestic Harmony is a necessary one and he hopes it will continue for many years.
“If spending $5,000 a year saves one life or gives one scared child one comfortable and safe night of sleep,” Stockford said, “then I think it’s worth every cent we give them.”
